Ms. Helen Viau

We are here today to celebrate the life and acknowledge the transition into peace of Helen Viau, age 36, of Hamburg, NJ. Born in Hoboken, NJ Helen was the firstborn daughter of Edwine (nee Jones) and Fred Viau. She blended their traits so beautifully - his love of tech gadgets and classical music, with her artistic talent and strong will. They almost named her "Fredwin" but thankfully chose mom's middle name instead.

Dad took so many baby pictures and home movies of Helen that it's no surprise she too became passionate about cameras at an early age. She setup her own darkroom and was developing B&W pictures while still in grammar school. She loved being behind the camera so much that we have much fewer pictures of her as an adult.

She was an Honor student all through St. Anthony's grammar school and Emerson high school in Union City. She studied Chemistry at Stevens Tech in Hoboken and worked for many years in that industry. While working at Lever Brothers her company relocated to CT. Rather than leave her home and family in NJ, she hung up the lab coat and went in pursuit of a career change in computers. She completed her Bachelor's degree at Thomas Edison State College and also graduated from Chubb for computer programming. 

It was about this time she bought her house in Hamburg NJ. Although it was off the beaten path, she loved hiking in the woods and being close to nature. She befriended her next door neighbors, Bob and Marion, who were instrumental in leading her to a programmer position at Selective Insurance in Branchville, NJ. These were the happiest years of her career. Her coworkers became her friends and family away from home. They were there for her when she experienced the heart-wrenching loss of her first child, Ben, who was stillborn after eight and a half months. And all shared her joy 2 years later when she delivered her daughter Xena into the world. 

She found joy in many things, especially in music and art. She expressed her creativity in pastels and watercolors. She also collected instruments (strings, wind, percussion, etc.) and learned to play most of them. Her favorite became the violin and she could often be found hanging out in the upper room at Pastore Music in Union City learning how to repair violins. 

She also had a strong interest in medicine and never tired when it came to helping others. She was known for bringing laughter and sharing her strength with sick friends, family, and even strangers. She contributed so much of herself to all around her. 

Helen loved her parents unconditionally and could always be counted on to care for them whenever they became ill and as they grew older. Dad showed his gratitude by driving her to/from all her doctor's appointments and treatments, often accompanied by her best friend Elaine. 

Helen moved back to Union City once she could no longer work and spent her last year at home. The bond between the three generations became stronger than ever. Helen once noted how she, mom, and Xena were like "3 peas in a pod", but mom quickly corrected her and said "no, we are one". Helen found great comfort in that. 

Mom was at her side on Helen's last night with us, as was Elaine via cell phone. Helen was having trouble sleeping so they stayed up with her all night as mom sang her a lullaby from our childhood.

Dodo ti pitit' maman

Dodo ti pitit' maman

Si ou pas dodo crab'la va mange

Si ou pas dodo crab'la va mange

Dodo pitit' crab' lan çalalou

Dodo pitit' crab' lan çalalou

Helen passed away at 5:42am on April 28, 2004 at her childhood home in Union City, NJ. 

Our Gizmogadget girl will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed by family, friends and neighbors, even strangers that she humored with a joke or story. Like a true soldier, you fought the good fight now sleep like an angel. 

Many thanks to all the doctors & nurses who have cared for her during the last few years. Special thanks to Dr. Gillewski at Memorial Sloan Kettering and the wonderful nurses & staff who helped her keep a positive attitude through all her treatments. 

At Helen's wishes, cremation has taken place. She has been reunited with her son, Ben. As an expression of sympathy, in memoriam contributions to PETA and Amnesty International would be appreciated by the family.

Helen Viau is survived by her parents,Edwine and Fred Viau, her daughter, Xena, and her siblings: Marie Lourdes, Charlie, Fran, Florence, and Mireille.

Please check http://www.helenviau.com for more information.